Convertible shoe and sandal with reversible top

ABSTRACT

A convertible article of footwear has an upper outer component with a reversible exterior shell, an inner sandal base and means for repeatedly connecting and disconnecting these two main components to one another with either outer shell exposed. When connected by a zipper or other joinder, the parts form a whole outer shoe for sports, casual or other uses. When kept apart, or separated into main component elements, the user can wear the underlying sandal as a stand-alone footwear item.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/840,851, filed on Jun. 28, 2013, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear. More specifically, this invention relates to a shoe that can be converted from one form of footwear to another and back. With such interchangeability, it is possible to sell multiple colors of one component (either the top or bottom) for use with a common other component (the bottom or top, as appropriate). More particularly, the overshoe or top component is reversible so that really three different shoes can be worn from one “set”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear is usually designed to meet the wearer/user's specific needs. Casual shoes, for example, are designed for comfort and wear during many daily activities. Sports shoes are designed for mostly athletic activities. Sandals can be worn for active sports and/or leisurely activities. As a result, users typically have many different pairs of footwear for different needs.

Traveling with multiple pairs of shoes, for multiple end uses can be an inconvenience. Accordingly, there is a need for one article of footwear that can be easily converted between modes for multiple purposes. More importantly, with one REVERSIBLE outer component, it is possible to provide multiple shoe colors and/or shoe styles with less consumed (luggage) space, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides the comfort of a shoe, with the rest and airy freshness that a sandal can provide in a single convertible product. It is more than the union of two concepts in footwear, however. This system saves time, space and money.

The aforementioned product can be worn in different environments and climates, in hot, cold or wet weather. It makes a sports or tennis shoe from a sandal before converting back to a sandal as needed. Better still, with reversibility, one sandal can be used to make a first color athletic shoe, then reversed and reattached to make a second color version. Alternately, the reversibility can be used to show an outer athletic shoe before inverting to a non-athletic casual shoe variety.

This system uses a zipper, Velcro®, snap or other adhesive means to join the upper unit or outer shoe to the lower permanent sandal “frame”. Preferably, a second attachment means joins the sole interior to the outer sandal bridge for greater security.

When the two main parts are brought together and the perimeter zipper closed, we see a full sneaker or tennis shoe. When unzipped apart, the upper sole separates to reveal a useable, wearable foot sandal.

The new convertible shoes can be used as fashion-casual for athletes, students, housewives, adults and children. It can be worn in a variety of environments and sports.

Another aspect of the invention is a sandal for removable insertion into a primary sports shoe overlay, the latter of which can be swapped out for different color and/or pattern variations. Preferably, the sandal component includes a secondary connector means (snap, button, etc.) for further securing the overlay component to said sandal component.

Yet another aspect concerns a method for converting a sandal into a plurality of sports shoes. That method comprises: providing a sandal with a removable top section/shoe cover that joins to the sandal about its base perimeter; and situating the top section over the sandal before connecting the two main components together. Greater flexibility is provided with an upper outer shoe that quickly reverses to one of two colors or shoe varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features, objectives and advantages of this invention will become clearer when reviewing the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer lateral side of one embodiment of convertible shoe for the wearer's left foot according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner lateral side of one embodiment of convertible shoe from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the shoe from FIGS. 1 and 2 separated into its main component parts;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing one preferred embodiment in which the one shoe top is a first color exterior (left side) but, when reversed (inside out) forms a shoe of a second color (right side); and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view showing one preferred embodiment in which the one shoe top is a first type, casual exterior (left side) but, when reversed (inside out) forms a shoe of a second type, athletic shoe exterior (right side).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, there is shown several embodiments of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, common elements are commonly numbered in the respective views. For the alternative embodiment, common elements are consistently numbered though in the next hundred series.

The shoe manufacturing process for this invention is only common to known methods in that it joins upper elements to a sole. No gluing is done, nor are any components vulcanized. Rather, the two sides to the outer shoe (shell) are sewn together, either manually or by machine.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is shown a convertible article of footwear, generally 10, that incorporates a primary upper component 12 and a lower sandal 14 that removably inserts into and attaches directly to that upper component. As shown, joinder is accomplished with an all around zipper 16. The convertible article can be worn “fully” assembled or as just a pair of underlying sandals 14 independent of its upper components 12. Such convertibility can prove quite handy. During travel, for instance, a user may want to wear the fully assembled unit 10 to the airport, but only the sandal bases 14 on a long flight.

In the FIG's, the joined/connected or assembled footwear is depicted as a sports/athletic or “tennis” shoe. It is contemplated, however, that an upper component-sandal combination could also serve as a casual shoe, dress shoe, clog or even half boot. For the sports shoe version, representative elements for that upper component 12 are listed via the labeled elements at FIG. 2. Still other elements may be added to or substituted for those in alternative embodiments.

The sandal base component 14 is designed and sized to fit into at least the lower end 18 of upper component 12. When duly inserted and properly positioned, the wearer's foot will fit snugly into the sandal 14 then into the shoe (i.e., upper component 12) laid thereover.

In the FIG's, the two main components are joined by zipper fastener 16 with one half of the zipper extending downwardly D from the lowermost edge 18 of upper component 12 and the other zipper half extending at least partially, if not fully, upwardly U about the perimeter to sandal base 14 or slightly there above. Any such protrusion of zipper components 16 cannot raise a tripping hazard nor interfere with the wearer's comfort. Additionally, the placement of zipper halves D, U should not prove overly obtrusive to the overall aesthetics of the sandal 14 OR shoe proper 10. In one embodiment, the two zipper halves can be vulcanized to their respective main components. When pasted together in this manner, a better sealing arrangement is configured.

For alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that the joinder/fastener for this invention can be supplemented by or substituted with another firmly holding connector like laces, Velcro® strips, elastic, snaps, hooks or the like.

Preferably, one or more connectors may rise from the upper outer bridge to the sandal component for further connecting to an underside of the upper component interior immediately adjacent the sandal's supplemental bridge connector. Though not shown in the accompanying drawings, a plurality of clip/snap or other joinder pairs should provide further securing between main components if and when such additional connectivity is needed or desired. Like the main joinder means (i.e., the above preferred zipper connector), these secondary sandal bridge connectors should be sturdy and capable of holding the upper shoe to same without being unduly distracting or otherwise negatively impacting on the overall aesthetic appeal of the “package”.

As for the related methods of this invention, there are several straightforward means for interchanging between sandal and full shoe depending on the joinder method of choice employed. The methods of conversion between models would entail bringing the major components together for forming the combined unit; and then reversing the steps for separating the independently wearable sandal base from its upper shoe overlay component.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, with greater interchangeability between component parts, it is conceivable to provide one comfortable base sandal over which multiple colors/designs of a sports shoe may be positioned and affixed. FIG. 4 shows a first variation in which one athletic shoe color (lined for blue) is on a first exterior 112B (left side) but reversed and then made reattachable in a second color (lined for green) as component 112G.

Alternately, as per FIG. 5, the same sandal 214 can serve as the home base for multiple shoe varieties: a sneaker or athletic shoe 212A (right side) which, when reversed, shows a casual shoe exterior 212C (left side). In these reversible variations, the lacings (or shoestring ties are ornamental/artificial and should not be used to tighten a shoe to the wearer's foot proper.

While specific embodiments of this convertible article of footwear have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible article of footwear comprising: a primary upper component that includes a shell resembling a first shoe model and that reverses to reveal a shell resembling a second shoe model; an inner sandal component that can also be worn separately, and means for joining the inner sandal to the primary upper component in a manner that allows for subsequent separation and rejoinder.
 2. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 which, when joined together forms at least one sports or athletic shoe model.
 3. The convertible footwear article of claim 2 which forms a sports or athletic shoe of a first color, and then a sports or athletic shoe of a second color when reversed.
 4. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 which, when joined together forms at least one casual shoe model.
 5. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal component includes a secondary means for fastening to said primary upper component.
 6. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said joining means includes a zipper that extends about a majority of an outer perimeter of the sandal component.
 7. The convertible footwear article of claim 6 wherein said zipper extends about the entire sandal outer perimeter.
 8. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal is adapted for receiving multiple upper outer component colors or designs.
 9. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal is adapted for receiving multiple upper outer component shapes and end uses.
 10. A sandal for removable insertion in and connection to a primary upper component that can be reversed to form multiple, convertible shoe varieties, said sandal comprising: a base; a bridge extending over the base towards a toe end of a user/wearer, said bridge connecting at or near opposite sides of the base; and means for repeatedly connecting the base to its primary upper component in one of two exterior directions.
 11. The removable sandal of claim 10 which further includes a secondary means for connecting to an interior of the primary upper component.
 12. The removable sandal of claim 10 wherein said connecting means includes a zipper element.
 13. The removable sandal of claim 12 wherein said zipper element extends about a majority of an outer perimeter of the sandal base.
 14. The removable sandal of claim 13 wherein said zipper element extends about the entire perimeter of the sandal base.
 15. A reversible upper shoe component for repeatedly connecting to and over an independently wearable sandal component, said upper shoe component including: a shell resembling a first shoe model that, when reversed, resembles a second shoe model; and means for connecting to the sandal component.
 16. The upper shoe component of claim 15 wherein the first shoe model is a sports or athletic shoe in a first print or color.
 17. The upper shoe component of claim 16 wherein the second shoe model is a sports or athletic shoe in a second print or color.
 18. The upper shoe component of claim 16 wherein the second shoe model is a casual shoe.
 19. The upper shoe component of claim 15 wherein said connecting means includes a zipper element.
 20. The upper shoe component of claim 15, which further includes secondary means for connecting to a top bridge of the sandal component. 